Over the past few years, it has become increasingly common for young people to narrate their lives as if they were in a film. Simple moments—sitting by a window on a rainy afternoon, watching droplets race down the glass—are framed as cinematic experiences, with individuals imagining themselves as the lead in a slow-burning indie movie only they can see.
“It gives me something to hold onto,” said Zahra, 23. “Even if it’s just a moment of light or a cup of tea, it feels like I can make it matter.” Social media has amplified this trend, with the phrase “main character energy” gaining popularity.
Videos of ordinary routines—making coffee, tidying rooms, walking through parks—are paired with ambient music and captions encouraging viewers to “romanticise your life.” Unlike fast, attention-grabbing trends, these clips are deliberately slow, framing everyday life as cinematic.
Older generations often perceive this as self-indulgent or even frivolous. “For us, meaning came from responsibilities, providing for family, building a home, moving up at work,” said Khalid, 56. “You didn’t always have the chance to pause and notice life. Maybe that’s why it feels unusual to see the young put so much focus on the small things.”
Younger people, however, view it differently. Dr. Farah, a Karachi-based psychologist, explains that Gen Z’s inclination to romanticize life emerges from broader social and economic pressures.
Entering adulthood amid political unrest, economic instability, climate anxiety, and the stresses of digital life, many young people face heightened levels of stress and mental health challenges. “Narrating your life like a film isn’t indulgence,” said Dr. Farah. “It’s a small way to regain agency when so much feels outside of your control.”
The practice is also influenced by therapy culture. Mental health apps, self-care routines, and TikTok therapists encourage introspection, making cinematic self-documentation a form of reflection.
For Gen Z, unpolished, authentic depictions—shaky camera angles, messy rooms, uneven lighting—replace curated perfection. Zahra said, “Sometimes it’s just deciding that the walk home is worth noticing.”
While some worry that documenting life for social media risks performance over presence, young people often see it as preservation. “I like that I can look back and remember exactly what I was feeling,” Zahra said. In a fast-paced world, Gen Z has found a way to slow down and find meaning, even if that means turning ordinary walks and quiet moments into scenes from a movie only they can see.
